Luxury jewellers Astley Clarke hires new MD for expansion

A jewellery brand backed by private equity group Index Ventures and Net-a-Porter co-founder Carmen Busquets has hired a new managing director as part of its plan to expand.

The British luxury jewellery brand Astley Clarke has hired Scott Thomson, previously chief executive at Claudia Schiffer, to lead the group into its next stage of growth.

The jeweller, which sells online and has concessions in London stores Harrods, Liberty and Selfridges, was founded in 2006 by executive chairman Bec Astley Clarke.

Clarke said: “Astley Clarke is at an important stage of growth and Scott’s wealth of experience in building iconic international brands and his strategic vision is pivotal to establishing Astley Clarke as an international multi-channel, luxury brand.”

Thomson was previously managing director of women’s footwear brand FitFlop. He has also worked at Marks & Spencer and the Peter Black Group.